Images from the fierce Gikomba fire that rocked the market

A fire erupted at Gikomba market on Wednesday at dawn destroying a number of shops. Red Cross, in a tweet, said it had dispatched first responders to contain the situation.

A block near the U&I microfinance banking hall was affected. Red Cross said:

Gikomba Market in Nairobi is on fire. Response teams are at the scene. Updates to follow.

The aftermath of the fire

On June 28, 15 people died and more than 60 others were injured after a timber and second-hand clothes went up in flames.

In October 2017, a fire incident saw President Uhuru Kenyatta call for investigations to establish the cause of the fires.

The aftermath of the fire

Barely one month before then, an inferno hit a section of the market causing massive losses.

Speaking to the Star, Director of Nairobi Fire Rescue and Disaster Management, Brian Kisali said they received a call was received at about 3 AM. Kisali said within four minutes, two fire engines from City Hall had arrived to put out the raging fire.

The aftermath of the fire

He explained:

Within ten minutes five more fire engines arrived.

The responders were backed up by Water bowsers from Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company, a fire engine from Kenya Army and NYS.

The aftermath of the fire

The fire was put out within 25 minutes. Kisali said the response was slowed by difficulties in accessing the area. He

The area has stalls blocking the road leading to the affected area. The fire engines were extensively scratched by iron sheets while squeezing through.

The aftermath of the fire

He said a woman was taken to Mama Lucy Kibaki hospital after hurting her leg.